Redknapp highlighted the importance of an immediate response next weekend when they welcome Manchester United to White Hart Lane, but admits this week's international fixtures will make it a more difficult challenge.

Harry Redknapp said:

"We've got to come back like we did earlier in the season," the Spurs boss said. "We need to bounce back and recover. The problem is that everyone is going to various parts of the world to play international games."

"They don't come back until Friday so there's hardly anyone in all week. It's crazy build-up to massive games at this stage of the season and with us playing Manchester United next week."

"It's difficult, the schedule. We've got people going to Mexico. One lad is off to New Zealand on a 34-hour flight."

The problem is that everyone is going to various parts of the world

– Harry Redknapp

Spurs had looked on course for victory after goals from Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adebayor, although they were pegged back before half-time by Bacary Sagna's header and a Robin van Persie wonder-strike.

Arsenal continued in the same vein after the break and took the lead through Tomas Rosicky six minutes into the second half, before a Theo Walcott brace wrapped up the resounding victory.

Scott Parker was sent off three minutes from time Credit: PA

Tottenham's afternoon was made worse three minutes from time when influential midfielder Scott Parker was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The England international will now miss the clash with Sir Alex Ferguson's side through suspension and Redknapp hinted Ledley King could also miss out.

Redknapp seemed taken aback after the game and admitted it was "one of those days".

"I didn't feel comfortable to be honest at 2-0 up," he said. "They were creating chances at 2-0."

"To be fair, when they got back to 2-2, they had an opportunity to go 3-2 before half-time so I wasn't exactly sitting there feeling comfortable. We were hitting them on the counter-attack, but we were camping deep in our half and they were making opportunities."

"At 2-0 I didn't feel comfortable and at 2-2 I felt even less comfortable and the momentum was with them at half-time. They came off to a standing ovation and you knew it was going to be a very tough second half."

Theo Walcott scored the fifth goal for Arsenal Credit: PA

Rafael van der Vaart also warned Arsenal that Tottenham would not be pushing the panic button in the race for third place despite hitting the self-destruct one in the north London derby.

The forward was under no illusions that Tottenham's title challenge was at an end after a 5-2 defeat saw them slip 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.

But he was defiant about the prospects of Spurs' highest ever Barclays Premier League finish and their chances of being London's top club for the first time in 17 years.

"This is football and we had a bad day, that's all, it's just a game and we lost," said Van der Vaart, who watched Tottenham throw away a two-goal lead at the Emirates to go in level at half-time before coming off the bench during the interval."

"For the fans and for us as players, losing against Arsenal always hurts but we are still third."